Chemotherapy on EGFR Mutation Status in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

What is it about?

Background: Emerging evidence indicates that chemotherapy for lung cancer may alter EGFR mutation status. However, whether chemotherapy as a first- line treatment may increase or reduce the frequency of EGFR mutations in NSCLC remains uncertain. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate whether chemotherapy leads to altered EGFR mutation status. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, OVID, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and CNKI databases for studies on pre- and post-chemotherapy EGFR mutation status. Relevant studies documenting peri- chemotherapy EGFR mutation ratios were included. Analyses of pooled odds ratios (OR) were performed.

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Why is it important?

Results: Six studies involving 656 patients were included in this meta-analysis. It was found that chemotherapy may alter EGFR status (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.05 - 3.56; p < 0.0001). No significant differences in EGFR mutation alterations were observed in terms of gender, smoking history, EGFR loci, or chemotherapy response in NSCLC patients. Conclusions: Chemotherapy may contribute to altered EGFR status.